Dean Huijsen has enjoyed an impressive season at AFC Bournemouth since joining them from Juventus last summer.
The centre-back made 26 appearances for the Cherries and has improved his game under Andoni Iraola.
Friday’s edition of [Marca](http://marca.com/) has published an interview with the Bournemouth player, where he was asked about Iraola.
_“The Premier League is already intense, but with him we play above that. We press high and then try to play. Iraola gives us freedom to play. Everyone can show their quality,”_ he said.
The 19-year-old has been a regular for Spain U21s in the last three international breaks. His form for Bournemouth could help him receive his first call up from Spain manager Luis de la Fuente for March’s international break.
Huijsen was born in Amsterdam and represented the Netherlands at U17, U18 and U19 before switching his allegiance to Spain.
La Roja face the Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League later this month. The defender can come up against Oranje if De La Fuente were to include him in the squad.
Marca asked the youngster whether he would understand if a section of the Dutch media were to criticise him for representing Spain.
_“In football, you’re always criticised, but I don’t care much what they say. If it were the other way around, they’d also say the opposite. If I had been born in Spain and raised in the Netherlands, they would say I should go with them,”_ Huijsen explained.
_“It’s also like an opposite feeling. They criticise you, but at the same time they love you. I don’t know how to explain it, but I think it might be that way.”_
The Bournemouth player left Málaga’s academy to be part of Juve’s youth system in 2021. The newspaper asked if he would like to ‘soon’ play in La Liga.
_“Yes, I would. Spain is my country. And it would be nice to return to Spain one day. Yes, I watch it \[La Liga\], especially if there is a former teammate of the U21 or someone I know. And Málaga, I see when I can. I think I have a bit of Málaga street football in the sense of getting the ball out, dribbling as a centre back…,”_ he added.
Huijsen’s contract at Bournemouth lasts until 2030 and it reportedly includes a £50m release clause.